Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 05/2015

Can Brazil overcome economic malaise and scandal?

Roger F. Noriega, Felipe Trigo

April 2015

American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

Abstract

Brazil's economic malaise and corruption scandals present significant challenges to President Dilma Rousseff's ability to govern, just four months into her second four year term. Latin America's largest economy is rediscovering that stimulating growth and creating jobs requires controlling government spending, increasing trade, and attracting investment by adopting a host of free market reforms. The United States and Brazil should jump start efforts to improve their commercial and diplomatic relations to bolster economic development in a region crucial to both countries.